15 Keepers Bookstore

August 1767 Dumerus calendar.

A mahogany carriage sped across the well-trodden road. The light soil lifted behind the carriage pulled by four well-trained and sturdy horses. Two men dressed in a bright red military uniform each carrying a triangular small black flag were positioned in front of the carriage, riding. Behind the carriage, some distance away, four other militants were catching up with the carriage.

Inside, Anna and her two maids Vanessa and Mielda were sitting in silence. The rattling sound of the carriage was enough for the silence to be covered. Anna was reading a book, at least trying too despite the carriage shaking because of the uneven road. They have been riding at this speedy pace for a considerable time now. The coachman said that if they hurry enough, they could make the trip in half the time.

They were planning to sleep after reaching half-way, at an inn a small village in the vicinity. The sun was beginning to set but they still haven't reached their destination. Anna was getting impatient as she was not enjoying this lengthy carriage trip but she did not complain. She understood that people around her didn't like it as much as her.

Mielda was the best example. After not even two hours on the carriage, they had to stop because she had motion sickness. The soldiers who were used to this type of lifestyle started complaining and even proposed to leave her at the Palace but Anna refused vehemently. Mielda was one of the only maids, besides Vanessa, that were doing their job properly. The rest of the servants were either too scared to serve Anna or they were brainwashed by Aura. For those rats, Anna had no sympathy and she often picked on Aura's spies. Her reputation has not changed ever since she reincarnated. Anna had no intention of doing so.

Selda was now ten years old and looked slightly older than her age. Her diet and rigorous training paid off. As planned before, for the past four years Anna took swimming classes from Alessia and trained to wield a sword. Raphael also began visiting the Palace more, but not because of Aura. He visited Anna. Taking part in her training, Anna felt that she was in an army camp.

Both her so-called tutors liked pushing her to her limit and although it showed results, the price for it was high. She was often exhausted after training and would often crash in her bedroom in the evening. Reading in the morning and training in the afternoon also meant that Anna had less free time to spend with her family.

Her mother, Cecilia, was the most concerned with her daughter seeing that she was spending more time outside doing what she referred to as 'dangerous activities'. Besides her mother and most likely her father who was watching her from the shadows no one in the palace knew what the second princess was up to.

The story that she was cursed was now even more believable as the fussy princess who used to stay indoors was spending more time outside. Some said it was because she fell in love with her new garden, the one that her father gifted for her birthday. Some still speculated that she was cursed and that it was only a matter of time before the evidence came forward.

Anna chose to ignore all these rumours and just focus on herself. She did not like listening to rumours and fictional stories that only entertained the public. She lived in the shadows and everyone seemed contempt with it. They did not like her regardless of what she would do, so Anna chose to lose to her sister when it came to popularity in the aristocratic circles.

On the other side was her sister, soaking in the addicting warm light of the public attention. She was holding grander and more exquisite birthday parties recently. Her sister who was now eleven started holding grand balls when she turned ten, inviting not only the nobility but also some merchants who had no magical powers. People often talked about the grace which was bestowed on those who saw her and they sang her praises. The public opinion of Aura raised to a level beyond that of an angel.

What they did not know however was the reason why Anna was not attending her sister's balls any longer. Rumours were going around saying that Selda was jealous of her sister and she could not stand her sister getting more attention than her.

'They also say that I do not know how to behave.' Anna giggled thinking about these fabrications.

"Your highness must enjoy the book." Said Vanessa breaking the ice. Mielda was shaking her head and smiling cheerfully. She was the one that recommended the storybook.

"Yes, the characters are very well portrayed. The story is very entertaining." Said Anna acknowledging this. She did not think much of it at the start as it was Mielda who recommended it and a storybook on top of that. Mielda was someone, whom people would refer to as a dreamer. In the morning or evening whenever she was brushing Selda's hair she would often rant about stories of a 'Prince Charming'. She felt that Selda was a pitiful soul and she often told her stories trying to make her feel better. To not lose hope.

"Yes! I like Damara the most. She is so sweet." Mielda clapped her hands excitedly. Vanessa next to her chuckled at her cheerful burst and placed her hands on Mielda's shoulder. She finally calmed down when the carriage came to a halt.

With her slender finger adorned with jewellery, Anna drew the curtain so she can look outside. A guard dismounted and dashed towards the window.

"Have we arrived?" asked Anna through the opened window.

"Yes, your highness. We will make the necessary arrangements and then we can enter the inn." Responded the woman bowing her head. She already instructed her subordinates to begin the preparations. The inn owner was currently talking with two of the guards.

"No need. I will take a small walk around." Said Anna eyeing the maids. They jumped on their feet and opened the chest underneath their seat. They took a relatively small cloak made of satin.

"But your highness! It is safer for you to remain close to us." The sergeant said defensively. She raised her voice and lifted her head despite Anna not allowing her to do so. Anna threw a murderous look at the woman. She closed her mouth and backed down a step.

"I am sorry your Highness. I will choose a capable soldier to guard you." She said while bending her head further down.

"Good." Anna took the cloak and covered her face with its hood. Opening the door with a creak Anna held the soldier's hand and came off the carriage. The soldiers in the vicinity stopped talking and bowed to her.

"Carry on. Don't mind me." Dismissed the soldiers carried on their duties. Some of them were unloading the carriage picking up chests and boxes made of wood. They placed them on the fresh grass on the side of the road. Some others were taking care of the horses trying to calm them down and lead them to the stables.

Anna turned her head to take a better look at the inn. I was an old inn with a rustic touch but every window was decorated with long rectangular pots of flowers. The inn resembled a traditional german house painted in white but with timber framing and shutters made from the same wood.

The inn was situated at the entrance of the small town, with little to no people out on the street. The few that were ogled at the expensive carriage and wondered who the important guest might be. The did not know how to read, but seeing the golden crown agleam on the carriage they questioned no further.

She moved towards the entrance of the inn and saw a chubby white man talking to one of the soldiers. He was wearing loose brown trousers dirtied with dust and flour. They had seen better days, but the white apron was covering their imperfections, making him look more presentable. He was the owner of the inn and was currently making the arrangements with the soldier. He was smiling brightly, his eyes counting the number of possible clients when his gaze landed on Anna.

She had a hood on and he could not see her face, but he knew who she was so he nodded his head briefly showing curtesy. Anna dismissed him and moved towards the entrance of the town.

A tight road, barely made to fit their carriage ran along towards horizon. The houses on its left were squished together, occasionally to be separated by an even smaller alleyway. They were dark and mysterious but Anna had no intention in checking them out. She would rather sit around the carriage than venturing its depths.

Opposite to them, the houses were larger with some architectural design put into making them. They were still attached but this time only in pairs or threes, not like on the opposite side. A small statue of the Goddess Felicia sat in the plaza situated on the right-hand side.

The two sides looked like two polar opposites with the left side looking shabby and cramped while the right side looked spacious and even had a plaza in the middle decorated with some locked stalls to be used by vendors in the morning. They were totally different and yet they blended well together.

Some old people were sitting in the plaza feeding pigeons some crumbs. They were having a good time talking about God knows what, while some children were running one after each other.

Anna felt refreshed seeing this and smiled slightly. She missed seeing people behave as such. She had been stuck in the palace for too long.

Her heels clicked on the paved ground. Behind her was Vanessa, Mielda and a soldier keeping up her slow pace. She took the time to gaze at the window of several shops looking at what people around here wear and eat. A little sign caught her attention. It was made of forged iron and coloured in a washed off caramel colour. Refined letters were written on it that read 'Keepers Bookshop'.

Anna moved a bit faster and reached the entrance of the shop. Unfortunately, the shop had already been closed for two hours and there was no one inside. Or at least that is what she thought.

A petite woman appeared from behind a red curtain. She seemed to be in a hurry and was fidgeting while looking for something. Anna followed her movements with her eyes to see what the woman was looking for. She signalled her servants to step back from the window view. Although apprehensive at first they complied with her command and stood further back enabling Anna to do as she pleased.

That is when she noticed a book which was placed on a small bookstand. It was placed directly under the window so everyone could see its content. Anna's nose touched the cool glass and squinted her eyes trying to read what was written on one of its pages. The book was open for display purposes but Anna could faintly make out what the title at the top read.

'The Life of a Second Princess'

Anna's heart jumped. She was not aware that a book as this existed. Her mouth twitched but she was trying not to laugh. Excited to find out the story about herself she placed her hand on the door handle.

She twisted it and surprisingly it was opened. She parted the door and a golden bell placed above her announced the disturbance. The small woman jumped in shock and her glasses fell on the ground. She turned around and saw a silhouette dressed in a satin cloak. Her hands trembled and she placed it behind her back grabbing a book.

"Don't come near me!" she threatened while flinging the book her way.

Anna who was accustomed to things being thrown her way by Raphael swiftly avoided the book. She came closer to the woman and took off the hood uncovering her face. The woman's face turned from looking terrified to being mesmerised by her appearance. Anna grew up to well, her face small chubby face transformed slowly into a sharper oval one with raised cheeks. Her eyes the colour of amethyst alluring to watch invited everyone to get lost in them. Although the woman could not see her body as it was hidden by the cloak, she could tell by the face alone that the young woman in front of her was a beauty.

"Good evening." Said Anna. The petite woman hiccuped in response. Flustered, the pink-harried woman, looked down embarrassed.

"I hope I don't disturb." Continued Anna seeing that the woman was not answering.

Finally, the woman raised her head and smiled sheepishly at her. She was so ashamed that she threw a book at such a beautiful young lady that she wanted to die. Even better if the beautiful woman punished her, thought the woman. It would be a grace to die at her hands. Shaking her head, wanting to get rid of such ridiculous thoughts, the petite woman bent her back in the form of apology.

"No! I am happy that someone such as yourself would visit me at this late hour. Sorry for throwing a book at my Lady." She said timidly.

"No need to apologise. What is your name?" asked the Anna.

"Grace. Grace Keepers young miss."

"Grace…what a beautiful name." The woman raised her head and anxiously came closer to Anna. She heard her name been called over and over in her life but it never sounded better than when the young woman in front of her said it.

"Say it again." She said enthusiastically. Anna's eyes widened in response and did not know how to act. That is when Grace realised that her mouth got the best of her. She quickly bowed again and kept apologising.

"I am sorry. I did not intend to sound this….I-"

"Grace…" Anna said it again and smiled. Her sweet smile made Grace flustered and she averted her gaze.

"Tell me Grace…are you selling the book in the window?"

"What? Which one?"

"This one." Anna picked it up and showed it to the woman. Her face instantly paled while her chin trembled slightly. Anna's smile widened realising that this is the book the woman was looking for relentlessly.